RED BLUFF — The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night in favor of a resolution supporting the proposed homeless shelter on Vista Way, following a lengthy discussion involving members of the council, Tehama County staff and residents.

City Hall hosted a packed house of residents and staff members, the majority of whom were there for the first agenda item — a resolution to support a Community Development Block Grant application by the county for the creation of the Navigation Center, planned at 1445 Vista Way.

The area is the city’s industrial district and specifically zoned for that purpose, making the proposed shelter a controversial subject among those who own businesses in the area.

Ken Robison, a property owner in the area and representative of other property owners with concerns for the project, spoke during the meeting.

“The county seems to revel in the fact that they don’t have to comply with your zoning rules, that’s been quite clear,” Robison said. “Do you really want the county dragging people out to your industrial park from all over the county…. You have a responsibility to protect your airport and a responsibility to protect your people.”

Other residents asked that the council either not vote or vote against supporting the grant application.

John Stoufer, a land-use planning consultant and former planner with the county, brought up the Federal Aviation Administration and questioned whether the shelter would be in compliance with its guidelines.

“In conclusion I think it would be much more beneficial for you go into this project with your eyes wide open instead of shut as they are currently doing,” Stoufer said.

Airport Manager Scott Miller said had concerns regarding FAA compliance, saying that emergency homeless shelters are not allowed in industrial zones and multiple airports around the country have been closed due to encroachment of this type.

Another issue was safety and security at the airport.

“Most of it borders around security and it’s something we are very aware of,” said County Administrator Bill Goodwin. “We’re hoping that whether or not our project went forward, the city would take some hard looks at the security at the airport and some of the concerns people have had.”

Goodwin said there would be a monitoring system at the Navigation Center for the sake of security.

Scott Camp, a local pastor and proponent of the shelter, said those who go to the shelter will most likely be people who want to make changes to their lives. Others who have been committing vandalism and using drugs will continue to do so, with or without a shelter.

“What it will do is give people who want to make a legitimate effort to get off the streets a way to get out of difficult circumstances, out of their cars, off the streets, it will get them where they can get services and provide them with ways they can get permanent housing,” Camp said.

Councilwoman Daniele Eyestone and Councilman Clay Parker voiced their support for the grant and shelter.

“This is somebody that wants to try something and I think we should just get out of their way and let them try,” Eyestone said.

Parker, who had remained quiet for most of the agenda item, gave his take before the council voted.

“There is no perfect location,” said Parker, who sits on the executive committee for the shelter. “We know that, it’s been tried before and no matter where you try to put this, someone’s going to complain. I can tell you though, doing what we’re doing now is not working, we finally have to try something different. This location is the best chance for this to happen and help us mitigate the homeless issues within the city. I have been listening to the people who are against it but I’ve listened to a lot more people who are for it and those are city residents, including myself. It’s something that needs to happen.”

Mayor Gary Jones was unable to attend the meeting, leaving Mayor Pro-tem Amanda Jenkins to run the meeting.

Earlier Tuesday, the Tehama County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the grant application. Corning offered unanimous support during its Feb. 12 council meeting.